Sudbury garden project gets green light
Growing Ourselves Through a Plot of Land project at the Sudbury Resource Centre. Outdoor horticulture project aims to engage people with mental health issues to help build their confidence and self-esteem. Dean Pettit, Neil Diggins, Scott Faers, Mark Whatnell help pot-up plants.
THE first seeds have been sown in a garden project set up and run by people with mental health issues.
Around 10 people will be involved in the “growing ourselves through a plot of land” scheme, which started at Sudbury Resource Centre on Thursday.
Run by educational charity Eastfeast, the project aims to help build the confidence of those taking part, while giving them the opportunity to learn gardening skills, including growing vegetables, sowing seeds and planting.
Sarah Roseblade, from Eastfeast, said the first session of the initiative had proved successful and will eventually see raised vegetable beds created.
“Research has shown that people do much better if they’re outdoors and I’ve seen people’s mental health improve through gardening,” she said.
“It’s aimed at involving the whole community and anybody who’s at home feeling lonely, depressed or isolated can come along and get involved.”
The resource centre on the Chilton Industrial Estate already runs a horticultural business which provides work and training for up to 60 adults with learning difficulties.
Centre manager Marion Corner said the project was in an ideal setting.
“This will allow us to offer the fantastic facilities we have at the centre to a wider range of people,” she said.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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